Via a friend (and my distributor) it has come to my attention that Mikrotik has EOLed the Disc Lite5 ac….
Replacement items are listed to be RBSXTsqG-5acD, and RBLHGG-5acD-XL larger distances.
The two said devices are by no means good replacements for the Disc Lite5 ac.
The SXTsq can do fine up to a few hundred meters, but with double the opening angle (23 vs 12 degrees) it is not usable for longer hauls, it has too low gain and picks up too much noise.
The LHG is not usable in harsh environments with ice and snow and strong wind.
As far as I can see you don’t get a radome cover for the XL either….and it is way too big to refit to existing wall brackets, when it is mounted at an angle from the wall.
And lastly – it is approx. double the price compared to Disc Lite5 ac.
The Disc Lite5 ac has been my standard client and medium speed PtP device for years, since it replaced the Sextant. It is rather small, rugged, good old SXT/Omnitik bracket that fits on the Quickmounts and has very good radio performance. Actually better than RFE Ultradish 24 dBI with RB M11G/R11e
Previously, when the Disc Lite was out of stock, I have used RFE Stationbox XL CC (now discontinued) with RB911 or RB M11G, which was not too bad, but it is outperformed by the Disc Lite5 ac.
The stores are now vacuum cleaned for Disc Lites…
So in fact, we are left with what?
Can anyone at Mikrotik please comment on this?
-What was the reason for EOLing the Disc Lite5 ac, one of the "hit products" in the line?
-What will you come up with as a replacement, and when will it be on the street?